Based on Larry McMurtry's prequel to Lonesome Dove, this expansive CBS broadcast miniseries is a worthy successor to one of the most beloved Western sagas ever produced. Comanche Moon introduces new characters, including Val Kilmer as Captain Inish Scull, an aristocratic Yankee who remains in the Southwest after distinguishing himself during the Mexican-American War, and his sexy but unfaithful wife Inez (Rachel Griffiths), who makes no end of trouble while Inish is traversing the frontier. Lonesome Dove's original protagonists, Texas Rangers Gus McCrae (Steve Zahn in the Robert Duvall role) and Woodrow F. Call (Karl Urban playing Tommy Lee Jones' part), are seen here joining the Rangers and pursuing the great Comanche war chief, Buffalo Hump (Wes Studi), who commits brutal, lawless acts while attempting to preserve his tribe's territory and lifestyle. Nearly five hours long, director Simon Wincer's Comanche Moon features plenty of plot, character, and incident, while also maintaining the same epic quality of the 1989 original. Zahn and Urban are no match for Duvall and Jones, obviously, but Kilmer makes a charismatic addition to the cast, and Griffiths is especially good in a marginally sympathetic role. DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, and segments on cowboy training and Comanche heritage. Recommended. (E. Hulse)
Comanche Moon
Sony, 2 discs, 284 min., not rated, DVD: $29.95 Volume 23, Issue 3
Comanche Moon
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